formidable
adjective
for·mi·da·ble
ˈfȯr-mə-də-bəl 
fȯr-ˈmi-də-bəl
fȯr-ˈmi-də-bəl
fər-ˈmi-də-bəl
1
: causing fear, dread, or apprehension : very difficult to deal with
a formidable challenge
The mountains were a formidable barrier.
2
: having qualities that discourage approach or attack : very powerful or strong
a formidable enemy/opponent/weapon
3
: tending to inspire awe or wonder : impressive
a formidable accomplishment
Examples of formidable in a Sentence
She was known throughout Manchester as a formidable woman, and being educated had only piled more formidability on top of what she had been born with.
—
Edward P. Jones, The Known World, 2003
The technology was formidable: using two and a half million rivets, 300 steeplejacks working flat out would run it up in the space of two years …
—Alistair Horne, Seven Ages of Paris, 2002
Alta is reached by a hairpin road that climbs steadily upward—a ride of thirty minutes or so, depending on road and weather conditions—through some of the most formidable mountain scenery in the country.
—Cynthia Zarin, New Yorker, 23 Mar. 1992
The mountains were a formidable barrier.
He has mastered a formidable amount of material.
Edward P. Jones, The Known World, 2003
The technology was formidable: using two and a half million rivets, 300 steeplejacks working flat out would run it up in the space of two years …
—Alistair Horne, Seven Ages of Paris, 2002
Alta is reached by a hairpin road that climbs steadily upward—a ride of thirty minutes or so, depending on road and weather conditions—through some of the most formidable mountain scenery in the country.
—Cynthia Zarin, New Yorker, 23 Mar. 1992
The mountains were a formidable barrier.
He has mastered a formidable amount of material.
Recent Examples on the Web
Housed in a building with a dimpled façade that many say looks like a cheese grater, the Broad houses the collection of Edythe Broad, who accumulated a formidable cache of contemporary art with her late husband Eli.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Apr. 2026
Homages to Chile’s formidable troika are among the record 10 the festival has planned for this edition, said festival director Estrella Araiza.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
In Lebanon, Hezbollah remains a formidable threat capable of launching drones and rockets at Israel.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
Shares have finally formed a formidable bottom at the $135 level.
—Jay Woods, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formidable
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Apr. 2026
Homages to Chile’s formidable troika are among the record 10 the festival has planned for this edition, said festival director Estrella Araiza.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
In Lebanon, Hezbollah remains a formidable threat capable of launching drones and rockets at Israel.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
Shares have finally formed a formidable bottom at the $135 level.
—Jay Woods, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formidable
Cite this Entry
“Formidable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formidable. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
formidable
adjective
for·mi·da·ble
ˈfȯr-məd-ə-bəl
also
fȯr-ˈmid-
1
: causing fear or dread
a formidable foe
2
: offering serious difficulties
the mountains were a formidable barrier
3
: very impressive
had won a formidable number of medals
formidableness
noun
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